Archetypes of human cognition defined by time preference for reward and their brain correlates: An evolutionary trade-off approach

Giorgia Cona, Loren Koçillari, Alessandro Palombit, Alessandra Bertoldo, Amos Maritan, Maurizio Corbetta

Abstract: Highlights•According to Pareto optimality theory, evolution forces trade-offs of functions.•We found that trade-offs in human behavior are related to delay discounting task.•Three reward-related strategies (archetypes) explain variability in all human domains.•A different brain structure and functional connectivity defines each strategy.•Stronger connection between PFC and reward related regions qualifies self-control.